I started thinking that this island may be magic. Nights got easier. Kilgrave flashbacks were becoming a rarity. If this is what vacation was like, I never wanted to go back. Although, I had people back home that count on me. And I missed them horribly.

"Good morning, gorgeous," Loki rested his hand on my face, running his thumb over my cheek.

"Good morning," I curled into his chest, "Someone's awfully affectionate this morning."

"I am always affectionate with you," Loki lifted up my t-shirt, his kisses trailing up my ribs, "Call it celebration."

"For what, baby?" my fingers entangled themselves in his hair.

"You're quiet…"

"I'm not sure how to take that, Loki," I gave him a look, "It almost sounds like an insult."

"Far from it," he nuzzled his face in my boob. For his sake, I hoped he didn't suffocate, "Ever since you've been back from your mission, you've been screaming and crying in your sleep. These past few nights, you haven't said a word. A couple of moans, but that's it."

"Oh," I blushed, "Disregard the moans."

"Naughty dreams, my love?" Loki's kisses started up again, inching down to my bellybutton, "It's been a while since you and I were carnal. Maybe your subconscious is trying to tell you something."

"I don't think I'm quite ready for that," I couldn't look at him. I knew that if he wasn't getting the milk from the reliable cow, he'd look for it elsewhere, "I'm sorry."

"What are you apologizing for, darling?" Loki sat up next to me, "I don't blame you. Kilgrave ruined my innocent little flower and I promise you. I will get my decent punch in. Until then, our hands are tied."

"And not in the fun way," I cuddled into the beautiful marble Loki called his body, "I've already gotten mine in. But I could definitely stand another few of them."

"You practically crippled the man."

"Still got off easy."

"I know," Loki held me tight, "How about this? You go take care of yourself. We'll take off tomorrow morning."

"And we're flying into Rochester?" I clarified.

"Yes," he nodded, "Are you prepared to see your mother…?"

"Yeah," I winced, "I was hoping you were going to do most of the talking."

"My silver tongue can work miracles," Loki chuckled, "But your mother is definitely a challenge."

"And you're always up for a challenge," I traced my finger on Loki's muscles, "aren't you?"

"Still with you, aren't I?" he kissed the top of my head.

"I'm going to go have a strange man rub all over my body," I teased, "I'll be back later."

"Enjoy yourself, my love," Loki pinched my ass, "Remember who you come back to…"

"If I was going to cheat on you," I sighed, "I wouldn't have said yes to you. Now, get over your insecurities before I get back and we'll enjoy our last night in paradise properly."

"Is that a promise…?" There he was. There was my beloved God of Mischief.

"It's an almost certainty," I kissed his cheek and went out the door to the resort spa. I couldn't believe Loki set this up for me. Fury may have called him a pain in the ass and occasionally, he was, but some days, he really pulled through for me. Such a shame the rest of the Avengers couldn't see Loki the way I do.

I got to the front counter and was given a plush robe and an ice cold cup of green tea. I was tasting a hint of jasmine in it. Yum. This was necessary. This was very necessary. I made myself comfortable on the massage table, dropping the top half of my robe, and waited for someone to pay attention to me.

"Hello," a deep, velvety voice broke the silence. And my heart.

"Hello," my pulse skyrocketed.

"My name is Antoine," he introduced himself, "Anywhere in particular you'd like me to work on?"

"No," I did all I could to keep myself from swooning. And that was just because of Antoine's ethereal voice. It terrified the hell out of me to think of what his hands would…

Oh, my…

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep myself from moaning. I could almost taste blood. He was amazing. Almost better than Loki. Not quite, but almost. Sweet baby Jesus, this was incredible.

"SHIELD agent, huh?" Antoine guessed.

My stomach dropped. How did a civilian know about an allegedly secret government organization like that? "Um…"

"Don't worry," Antoine settled me, "You're not the first SHIELD agent I've had in here. She had the same tension you do. You probably know her. Melinda."

"Is that May's first name?" I thought out loud, "I always thought her and Coulson shared a first name of Agent."

"Your shoulders and your neck feel just like hers," Antoine said, pushing harder into my shoulder blades, "And it's not every day you have Loki, the God of Mischief and destroyer of New York, come in to make the appointment."

"He's not that anymore," I assured, "He's definitely changed since the Battle of New York. He's a good man."

"He seemed different," he agreed, "Like he's settled down."

"I'm pretty sure he's done just that," I smiled, looking at the sparkling emerald on my finger. And feeling some sort of vibration on my thigh, "Hold on. I need to get that. Do you mind?"

"Not at all," Antoine allowed, "Go ahead. You want me to step out?"

"If that's alright," I dug my phone out of my robe pocket.

"Knock when I can come back," he slipped out.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hi, baby!" my mother chirped on the other end, "How are you?"

"Hi, Mom," I shook my head, "I'm super. How are you?"

"Good, good," she said, "What are you doing right now?"

"You caught me in the middle of a massage," I grumbled.

"Lucky you," she envied, "When are you coming back? I miss you."

"Tonight's our last night here," I told, "I actually have a surprise for you."

"For me?" Mom chirped, "What kind of surprise?"

"Well," I braced myself, "Loki and I aren't flying into JFK. We'll be in Rochester instead."

"You're coming home?!" she squealed.

"Yeah," I still had the ringing in my ear, "Thought we could come see you. God knows I have plenty of time off."

"I can't wait!" she started to come down, "I wish you could move back here. I don't even know where you live now."

"Classified," I reminded, "Sorry, Mom. I really do hope you could see where I live one day. It's incredible."

"I'm really glad you're coming home, baby," Mom sighed, a smile in her voice, "I have some things to talk to you about. And it'd be better if they were said in person."

"Is everything ok?" I worried.

"I'm fine," she assured, "I'm not dying. It's serious, but not that serious."

"Ok," I relaxed, "We should be flying in around four."

"Have I mentioned how excited I am for you to come home?" Mom sang.

"Three times now, Mom."

"It's been months!" she scolded, "I worry about you constantly! All I get is the occasional phone call and more often than not, you're either exhausted and fresh off a mission or you're drunk!"

"I'm sorry, Mom," I apologized, feeling the guilt deep within my soul.

"I ought to take you over my knee, young lady."

"I'm an adult, Mother."

"And?" she went on, "I know the hours suck, but the least you can do is give me a little peace of mind. That's all I ask."

"I know," I rested my face in the cradle, "I'll try to keep you better informed. But you want some peace of mind? Talk to Loki. He will make sure nothing bad happens to me."

"Promises, promises," she teased, "I have to go, honey. I'll see you tomorrow."

"I love you, Mom."

"Love you, too."

Click.

Some days, she's completely insane, but others, it's really nice to hear her voice.

I knocked on the door and finished up with Antoine. I felt like jelly, but all I wanted was a nap. I wanted to put my swimsuit back on, oil up, and lay in the sun, but unfortunately, the sun was already setting. As soon as I got back to the room, it was covered in rose petals.

Loki.

Sometimes I wonder if he things I'm a walking cliché. I had to admit, though. This was sweet. A dozen big, white, beautiful calla lilies and a note were left on the bed:

To my eternal summer's day,

There is a dress in the closet.

The shoes are on the floor.

Whenever you're ready, I'm waiting in the restaurant.

All my love,

Loki.

I loved this man. If I could even call him that. I opened the terrifying closet (that, by the looks of it, had been cleaned out of all the S&M gear) and pulled out a dark green, floor length dress with a slit up the side. Of course we'd match. I pulled myself together and started heading for the restaurant.

"Mrs. Laufeyson," the hostess greeted me, "Your husband is waiting for you."

My heart skipped a beat. Loki, you little shit...Engaged for three days and he's already calling himself my husband. I guess I'd have to get used to hearing that now. I liked the sounds of it. Mrs. Laufeyson…Agent Laufeyson…I was starting to swoon like a schoolgirl.

"Hello, darling," his voice shook me to my core, "Champagne or wine?"

"Wine," I smiled, sitting across from him, "What is all this?"

"It's our last night," he reminded, "I wanted it to be special."

"Kind of hard to top our engagement," I said, "But you can try."

"When have I ever disappointed you, my love?" Loki played with my fingers.

"You haven't," I took his hand, "And I don't think you ever will."

"It's still early in the evening, my love," he smirked, "Give me time."

"I really should start carrying a spray bottle around for you," I rolled my eyes, "Shouldn't I?"

"There's always the backpack leash," Loki reminded, "That's an option."

"Yeah," I scoffed, "So you can associate being in trouble with getting horny. That's counterproductive, baby. Can't have that."

"Heaven forbid if I like a little pain with my pleasure," Loki smiled.

"By the way," I chirped, "Thank you for cleaning out the closet."

"I understand," he nodded, "Such a shame, though. We could've used that swing."

"Loki!"

"Only joking, love," Loki settled me, "I know you don't do suspension."

That was a lie. I had my own restricted area in the training room. It was nothing but high ceilings and bungee cables. It was my favorite way to unwind at the end of the day. I throw some music on and jump from every high point in the room, flipping through the air. But I kept it to myself.

Only one person knew about the restricted area in the training room and that's because he had to put the addition on. And I knew he wouldn't tell anyone. I had specific requests for the room. Big. Open. Surround sound. No cameras. Fingerprint access only. I wanted this kept under wraps to the best of Tony's ability.

It would only come off as a weakness. Gracefulness and aerial acrobatics never made a good SHIELD agent. Although, my agility came in handy when I was kicking ass. And the parkour skills, too. No one knew where it came from, though. Not even him.

"Really though, Loki," I sipped on my wine, "Thank you. Ever since I've been back, you've been more accommodating than I could have ever asked for."

"No need to thank me, darling," he assured, "I love you. It's my absolute pleasure."

"I love you, too," I blushed.

"There it is," Loki poked at my face, "There's that little bit of color that brings your face alive."

"Do you mind?" I giggled, shaking him off me.

In all honesty, I didn't want him to stop. I craved such innocence. Such normalcy. Loki and I being huge dorks and not giving a shit about who saw. This island was magical and it was going to suck something fierce when we take off.

For more than the obvious reason. Loki sat next to me, clinging to my arm, shaking like a dog finding out he's getting fixed. I don't think Loki and turbulence will ever get along. Whether we were going on missions half way across the world or across the country, my poor baby will never get used to flying.

"Loki," I held him close against my chest, "It'll be fine. I promise you. We're not going to crash. The plane isn't going to drop out of the sky. We'll be alright."

"I know," he pouted, "I know we'll be fine. Doesn't make it any less terrifying."

"Hey," I soothed, "You want me to get you a drink? I'm sure there's bourbon somewhere on this plane."

"I'll be fine," Loki's voice went up an octave, his shaking getting worse.

"It's kind of nice," I chuckled, "Me taking care of you for a change."

"I don't need to be taken care of," he rolled his eyes, trying to stay all high and mighty, "How are you?"

"Fine," I said, "Why?"

"Really," he reiterated, "How are you?"

"Honestly?" I nestled my face in his neck, "Terrified."

"Are you alright?" Loki went into instant panic.

"It's for all the right reasons," I settled, "We're about to announce our engagement to my spastic, easily excited mother who has been wanting us to get married damn near since day one."

"She has?" Loki gave me a look.

"Since the day I brought you home," I told, "My mother has adored you. She wants us to get married in the worst way. Mostly because she was worried I'd end up alone with six cats and a serious addiction to knitting."

"Then, I came along and ruined that," he kissed the top of my head, "I'm terribly sorry."

"Apology accepted," I cuddled, "I'll take you over becoming a lonely spinster with six cats any day of the week, baby."

"Good," Loki squeezed me tight, "Because that would mean I'd have to take your ring back and quite frankly, sweetheart, I'd rather not do that."

"Tale as old as time, right?"

"Conte vieuz comme le monde."

"Since when do you speak French?" I wondered.

"My silver tongue knows many languages," he reminded, "French just happens to be one of them. Would you like your ring inscription in something else? Latin, perhaps? Spanish? Italian? Mandarin? Portuguese?"

"Alright, show off," I stopped him, "I get it. Unless you're going to start spewing ancient Asgardian, I don't want to hear it."

"Would you like me to spew ancient Asgardian?" Loki smirked, "I can do that, too."

"I swear to God," I pounded my head into his chest, "I should open the door and push you out without a parachute."

"And endanger the lives of everyone on this plane?"

"Shut up," I shook my head, smacking him in the shoulder.

The plane finally landed in Rochester and I had fingerprint bruises from Loki's hands on my bicep. I was horrified to see my mother. Granted, I was happy as a clam, but there was no telling how she was going to react to this. But she had something to tell me, too. Maybe I could deflect to her.

"Mom?" I knocked on her front door, "Mom, I'm home!"

My mother screeched at the top of my lungs and threw her arms around me, trying her damnedest to snap my spine in half, "I MISSED YOU!"

"Missed you, too, Mom," I choked out, "Will you let me go?"

"No!"

"Charlotte," Loki peeled her off of me, taking the heat, "It's lovely to see you again."

"Hello, Loki," she started to calm down, "I'm sorry. I got a little carried away, didn't I?"

"A little carried away?" I giggled.

"Hush..." she scolded, "My baby girl doesn't come home for months. I deserve to go a little overboard when she finally does."

"Sorry," I apologized, "Fury keeps me pretty busy."

"I know," Mom pouted, "So! Tell me about the Virgin Islands! How was your trip?"

"Amazing," I smiled, sitting at the island in the kitchen, "You should've been there."

"On vacation with you and Loki?" she laughed, "No, thank you. I'd rather not see my daughter and her boyfriend in the throes of passion."

"Fiancé..." I kept my voice low.

"Excuse me?" Damn her bat like hearing.

"Charlotte," Loki calmed her, "While we were in the Virgin Islands..."

"Loki proposed!" I blurted out.

"WHAT?" Mom exploded.

"A man has asked me for my hand, Mama!" I beamed.

"When? How? Ring? Show!" she could only speak in short utterances.

"Mom!" I held her down, "Relax. I will show you my ring. I will tell you the whole story."

"Wonderful!" she sang, pulling me off my barstool, "Come on. Help me make dinner."

"I'm going to leave you two alone," Loki gave me a quick kiss, "I'll be right back. Charlotte, do you think I could trouble you for your car keys?"

"No trouble at all, sweetie," Mom tossed him her keys.

"Where do you think you're off to?" I wondered.

"You'll see," he promised, "It'll make this night a little more bearable.

"Fine," I let him go, but not without one last kiss, "I love you."

"Love you, too."

And just like that, Loki was out the door, leaving me to deal with my mother. I had to tell her everything. How Loki proposed. What we did on our trip. Casual catching up things. She may be a pain in the ass sometimes, but damn, I missed her. Sometimes a girl just needed her mom. It'd be nice if her dad was here, too...

"Hey, Mom," I asked, putting the chicken parmigiana in the oven, "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, honey," Mom allowed, "Shoot."

"Do you think Dad would've liked Loki...?"

"I'm not sure if he would've approved at first," she figured, "But I'm sure they would've gotten along eventually."

"I've been thinking about him a lot lately," I admitted, "I miss him."

"Me, too, puddin'," Mom put an arm around me, "You know, we actually talked about this moment a long time ago. You were probably ten. He said he'd put the man you married through the wringer."

"I could just imagine him and Loki," I chuckled, "Which one do you think would tap out first?"

"Loki," Mom chose sides, "Your dad would have him squirming like an ant under a magnifying glass."

"I don't know, Mom," I defended, "You don't know everything about Loki. He could have a trick or two up his sleeve."

"Against your dad?" she pointed out, "I think you're a little biased."

No. It wasn't bias. Mom didn't know about Loki's powers. Mom didn't know Loki was a demigod. As much as I love my father, Loki would have him beat in seconds. Dad would be the first to tap out. Easily.

"So, about your news," I asked, "What was so exciting that you couldn't tell me over the phone?"

"Well," she let out a heavy sigh, "You know I loved your father. Always will."

"Yeah."

"I have someone coming over tonight," she cringed, waiting anxiously for my reaction.

"Mom, you hussy," I teased.

"You're not upset?" she worried.

"Why would I be?" I wondered, "Mom, if he makes you happy, then that's all that matters. And I get to meet him tonight?"

"He's coming over tonight," Mom reiterated, "And I want both you and Loki on your best behavior. I don't want you scaring him off."

"Am I that scary?" I gave her a smirk that Loki himself would've been proud of, "I always thought I was kind of cute."

"Just mind the p's and q's, kid," she begged, "I really like this guy. He's been really good for me."

"Mom, kale is good for you," I gave her a look, "Bran muffins are good for you. Doesn't necessarily mean what's good for you is yummy."

"He's not a bran muffin," Mom laughed, "And he's not kale. He's a bowl of Lucky Charms on a Saturday morning while your favorite cartoons are on."

"You're nothing if not poetic," I shrugged, sitting back at the island.

"Darling," the front door opened, "I'm home."

"Haven't left the kitchen," I stole a kiss from Loki as soon as he walked in, "What'd you bring me?"

"Bring us," he corrected, pulling a bottle of moscato out of the bag, "I hope you don't mind, Charlotte."

"A bottle of wine and I didn't have to pay for it?" she already had the corkscrew out of the drawer, "Why would I mind?"

"And for you, my love," Loki whispered in my ear, "I got you a little something extra."

I looked down at the rest of the contents of the bag to find a bottle of scotch, "Oh, Loki. Bless you."

"You're welcome," he kissed my cheek, "So, what have you two been up to since I've been away?"

"You're a hopeless romantic, aren't you, Loki?" Mom teased.

"I'm sorry?"

"I told her about the proposal," I confessed, "And Sonnet 18."

"The greatest pick up line ever," Mom confirmed, "Any man that uses Sonnet 18 on a woman is guaranteed to get warm, squishy, naked cuddles."

"Nice, Mother," I rolled my eyes, then froze in my tracks. Come on, brain. I've been doing so good lately. Happy place. Happy place.

On your knees, slut. I want some squishy, naked cuddles. Now!

He can't get me here. He won't get me here. He can't get me here. He won't get me here. Get the hell out of my head, Kilgrave.

"Are you alright, darling?" Loki asked, noticing my zoned out nature.

"Fine," I shook it off.

"Are you sure?" Mom jumped on the bandwagon, "For a minute, you looked like you were about to throw up."

"I'm fine," I reassured, "Don't worry about me."

Loki held me tight against him, knowing exactly what 'I'm fine' meant. He knew I was having Kilgrave flashbacks. And he knew how hard I was working to keep myself together. My brain was being held together with staples and rubber bands and super glue and duct tape and a piece of bubble gum. Eventually, the staples would rust away and the rubber bands will snap. The glue will wear off and the tape will rip. The sugar in the gum will dissolve. And what will be left is a hollow shell of what used to be me.

"Charlotte?" a familiar voice broke the silence, "Charlie, where are you?"

"In the kitchen, Phil!" Mom called out.

"Phil?" I gave her a look, "No...Not that Phil...Right?"

"Hi, honey," Coulson came in, putting an arm around my mother's waist and a kiss on her cheek, "Smells amazing. Hey, kiddo. How was the Virgin Islands?"

"How's my mother?" I growled.

"Outside," Mom grabbed my wrist, "Now."

As soon as the front door shut, I started the argument, "What the hell, Mom? Coulson? Of all people, Coulson?!"

"I know it's a bit of a shock," she attempted to calm me down, "But honestly, I couldn't have asked for anyone better."

"I have to work with him!" I snapped, "Do you know how weird that's going to make things for me?"

I know I had always thought of Coulson as a father figure as soon as I started with SHIELD, but this was ridiculous! I never expected him to ever have the possibility of becoming my stepdad. Something about this was definitely not sitting right in my stomach.

"What happened to what you said in the kitchen?" Mom threw that in my face, "As long as I'm happy, you're happy. No matter my decision. Phil is my decision, like it or not. I'm not asking you for your permission."

"You don't need to ask my permission," I assured, "I just wish you weren't dating one of my superiors. Why Coulson? Why not go all the way to the top and go with Fury?"

"Phil chose me," she smiled, "It started with him keeping me posted on you. Then, I took a weekend in the city while you were on a mission. We met up and…Well, we've been seeing each other ever since."

"I still don't like this, Mom," I let out a heavy, exasperated sigh, "But I'm not going to stand in the way of it either."

"Thank you," Mom gave me the biggest, tightest hug her tiny frame could've mustered up, "Just behave yourself tonight. Ok?"

"Ok," I pouted, "I don't have to like it, do I?"

"No."

"Alright," I nodded, "I can do this."

The two of us went back inside to find Coulson with my scotch in his hand. Immediately, I took the bottle from him and took a big, heavy drink from it. This dinner was going to be awkward and uncomfortable and I needed to be numb.

"So," Coulson broke the silence, "You never did answer my question. How was St. Thomas?"

"Needed," I sipped on my wine, "Loki and I got engaged."

"Congratulations!" he chimed, "When's the wedding?"

"We haven't decided yet," Loki held my hand under the table, steadying my rage shakes, "Spring wedding, my love?"

"No," I shook my head, using wedding planning as a welcomed distraction, "Actually, I was thinking more of a winter wedding."

"Oh?" I had Loki's attention, "Why a winter wedding?"

"Why not?" I was marrying a frost giant and he wondered why I wanted a winter wedding. Why I would want my husband in his element. He saw his inner frost giant as a curse. But little did he know, his fiancée found his Jotun side so beautiful.

"Alright," he allowed, "I can do a winter wedding."

"Good," I rested my head on Loki's shoulder.

"Besides," he whispered to me, "I can't wait to see you in traditional Asgardian regalia, darling. I really can't."

"What about you crazy kids?" I wondered, "You must be thinking about wedding bells already."

"No…" Mom shook her head violently, "We'd become common law before we actually got married."

"I don't know," Coulson shrugged, "If we're just entertaining the idea…"

"I've been married once before, Phil," she stood her ground, "I don't think I could do it again."

"I understand," he let it go, "I knew your husband, Charlie. He was a good man."

"He's the reason why I joined SHIELD," I chimed in, "My father helped people. I wanted to follow in his footsteps."

"I remember the day I recruited you," Coulson recalled, "Between your compassion and your tenacity, I knew you would've made a good agent."

"Have I let you down yet?"

"Not at all."

"Well," I excused myself, "It's been a long day. I think we're going to turn in."

"Alright, baby," Mom finished her second glass of moscato, "I got your room set up. Go ahead."

"Good night," Loki helped me up and the two of us went upstairs to my old bedroom. Just the way I left it. Star Wars poster to the left of the window. Bookshelf full of various knickknacks and tomes of my favorite childhood tales. One of those being a Shakespearean rewrite of Return of the Jedi called the Jedi Doth Return.

"You know, darling," Loki pulled me down to my bed, "This talk about our wedding has really got me thinking."

"No," I shot him down, "You know what happened the last time we attempted sex, Loki. I ended up having a Kilgrave flashback."

"I wasn't even thinking sex," he pulled me against his chest, "I was thinking about how beautiful you're going to be in traditional Asgardian robes."

"We're going to have to find a balance," I compromised, "My mom still doesn't know you're a god, baby. I think my relatives would be asking too many questions if I were in full traditional Asgardian robes."

"If I wasn't exiled," Loki said, "I'd take you to Asgard one day. Despite my hatred for the place, it really is rather beautiful."

"Maybe Thor can talk to Odin," I figured, "You could go back on probation like you are here."

"No," he shook his head, "You mean well, but I could never go back to Asgard. Not with Odin still on the throne. The next time I shall be even considered to be allowed on Asgardian soil is when a more suited king takes power."

"You?"

"Flattered," Loki blushed, "But I belong here."

"Are you saying I wouldn't make a good queen of Asgard?" I gasped dramatically, "Loki, I'm offended."

"You would make a most merciful queen," Loki assured, "Like Queen Frigga before you. But I was thinking more along the lines of Thor."

"I wish I could've met Queen Frigga," I nuzzled into him, "From the way you and Thor talk about her, she was an amazing woman."

"Yes, she was," Loki nodded, heartbreak in his eyes, "You should get some sleep, sweetheart. We're going home in the morning."

"Good," I yawned, "I miss the tower. I miss the family. I miss beating the shit out of Kilgrave every once in a while."

"No," he scolded, "What did I tell you about mentioning him while you're on vacation?"

"Sorry," I gave him a kiss, "Good night, Loki."

"Good night, my sweet…"

Those few words were enough to pull me under into the most gorgeous sleep I will ever have in my life. Loki was my favorite blanket, pillow, sleeping pill, and alarm clock. And I wouldn't trade him for the world.

A/N: I'm sorry this went up SUUUUUUPER late. I had a busy day today and little time to get anything done. Not to mention a little bit of a fit of rage toward the end, but that's here nor there and not story related. So! Leave me some nice words of encouragement and I'll see you next chapter. xx